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The thunderstorms yesterday mostly hit the West Branch. Luckily they were brief, the river did not get muddy and is up only a small amount. The cool night has the water temperatures starting off a little lower today. These next few days of milder air temperatures and lows in the 40’s will help the system stay fishable. Sulphurs, Isonychia, Light Blue Winged Olives and tan caddis were the most common hatches.

The release from Cannonsville has been raised another 100 cfs to 1,099 cfs this morning. That will make the lower West Branch more difficult to wade. The best bet is still the Main Stem and sections of the upper East Branch that are open to fishing. We saw varieties of spinners in the evening, make sure you have something that floats flush in your box. The forecast is calling for a chilly and windy day with a mix of clouds, sun and possibly a sprinkle or two.

We continue to receive water from Cannonsville to meet downstream targets. The forecast is calling for scattered showers and overcast conditions throughout the day but no significant precipitation amounts. Watch for fish rising in the afternoon and early evening. Wading the Main Stem remains the best option given the higher flow from the West Branch.
The upper West Branch (from Deposit to the NY/PA border) and upper East Branch (from Pepacton Dam downstream to the Shinhopple Bridge) are now closed to fishing for the season. The lower West Branch, lower East Branch and Main Stem remain open but are now catch and release only. For more information, view the Delaware County fishing regulations and the border water regulations.

Due to the forecasted rain NYC DEP decided they could save some water by dropping the Cannonsville release from over 1000 cfs immediately down to 300 cfs. There was no gradual step down, no thought about giving the insects on the sides of the stream-bed room to migrate, no regard whatsoever for downstream users. Hopefully Accuweather really is accurate this time and we get a lot of rain spread out from today through Sunday. We expect the first inch or so to soak right into the ground so we are watching the radar carefully. Feel free to call Paul Rush at DEP and let him know your thoughts about dropping the release from 1200 cfs to 300 cfs in one move. 845.334.7107 or email at prush@dep.nyc.gov

If there was ever a question on whether or not NYC DEP cared about anything downstream of the dams…

The release from the reservoir continues at the same level as yesterday. The West Branch remains off-color and the East Branch is clear but very low. The forecast is calling for cloud cover today and sporadic rain over the next few days. Cooler air temperatures for the rest of the week should keep the water temperature down throughout the system. Streamers have been working well the past few days, but look for rising fish as evening falls.

Not bad for Vince’s second fly fishing experience. Photo by Bruce Miller.

The release on the West Branch has been stepped down slightly again this morning. The water remains off-color but is clearing slowly and there has been less algae. Streamers continue to be the best bet. If the cloud cover sticks around, that may help get the bugs going today. Look for olives and isos especially as the sun goes down.

The release and the conditions on the West Branch remain the same this morning. Expect turbid water and less insects than we would like. The East Branch is clear but very low. We’ve had success fishing streamers, even with all the sun, due to the off-color water on the West Branch. We’re anticipating another sunny day with temperatures in the low 70’s and light winds. Have your dry flies ready in the evening.

The release on the West Branch has dropped marginally this morning but it shouldn’t make much of a change to the conditions. Looks like it will be a carbon copy of yesterday with highs in the low 70’s, sun and low winds. The cool evening temperatures continue to keep the river in good shape. We’re still seeing mainly olives on the river during the day and cahill and iso spinners in the evening. Be ready when darkness falls.

Dave with a West Branch brown on a sunny day. Photo by Jared Makowski.